What a Small World, like many movies produced in Hong Kong during its' "golden age", is quintessentially everything, but then again, nothing at all. It's a mix of pretty much every genre, from action to romance to comedy. Unfortunately, unlike the better entries prodiced from the region during this period, it can't quite throw everything into the mix to make a truly tasty viewing experience.

The plot has a Chuppie played by nebbishy main-stay Lawrence Ng getting jealous of his wife, who is essayed by the under-rated and very lovely Rosamund Kwan. Lawrence and Rosamund work in the same office, and Lawrence gets jealous of Rosamund after she seemingly gets a promotion after greasing up the pole of her superior. But, el-oh-el, it turns out that Rosamund was actually on the up and up.

For some very convieient reasons, this leads to Rosamund heading to Paris, where she meets up with an old boyfriend (Ray Lui), who is now a big gangster. Lawrence soon bolts after Rosamaund, and then coincidentally ends up literally running into a childhood girlfriend (Nina Li Chi). All of this is just really an excuse for the actors to run around exotic European locations while spouting off jokes.

And that's What a Small World's main problem. Even for a viewer experienced with Hong Kong films, the plot and comedy presented here is extremely dopey. I would think that even Wong Jing might balk at literally using toilet humor, such as which is espoused here in a scene where some poor chap's backside is glued on to a porcelain throne, which we get to geet in particularly uneasy close-up detail.

But despite its' problems, What a Small World, like many Hong Kong productions of the time, does actually manage to provide some solid entertainment, even with the seemingly low quotient of its' individual parts. Especially during its' finale, where bloodshed is emphasized over simpleton-pleasing antics, What a Small World does have promise to be a solid escapade. But, as such, this one is recommended for hard-core fans of Hong Kong action/comedy films only.

[review from www.hkfilm.net]